Since 2015 the Kiwanis Club of Chatham-Kent has partnered with the Chatham Public Library to promote and support literacy development in children. We do this through financial donations and volunteer services including Reading Buddies, Learn-a-Skill and donations of books to children. In 2016, we celebrated 100 Years of Kiwanis in Canada by giving away 100 books to young readers in Chatham-Kent and in 2017 we donated 150 books to honour Canada 150. We also support the TD Summer Reading Program.

Reading Buddies spend one-on-one time reading to and with children during 5-week sessions of one half hour each in the fall and again in the winter. Kiwanians share their love of literature with children and also spend time talking and sharing in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.

Learn-a-Skill involves one or more Kiwanis members sharing their expertise with a group of children. Two four-week sessions have focused on quilting and watercolours. We are looking forward to a session with a new topic in the fall.

This partnership provides these opportunities at no charge to families and demonstrates the commitment of both organizations to serving the children of our community.